Average
#1747 of 2,648 schools in NC
Townsend Elementary
Elementary School · Public Schools of Robeson County
105 Carolina Street, Maxton, NC 28364
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Maxton
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,182 of 1,474
In district
#18 of 36
Public Schools of Robeson County
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Townsend Elementary
Townsend Elementary, nestled in the rural community of Maxton, North Carolina, serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 274 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.8:1, Townsend Elementary provides a relatively small learning environment that allows for personalized attention. The school has 12 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping their young scholars grow academically and socially.
Townsend Elementary's academic performance places it in the lower percentile among North Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.8 out of 10. Test results show that only 25% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and Math, indicating areas for improvement in educational outcomes. Despite these challenges, Townsend Elementary remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment where children can develop their skills and discover their potential.
The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere that encourages parental involvement and support for student success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Townsend Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Townsend Elementary is 22.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Townsend Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Townsend Elementary — Students at Townsend Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.
How Townsend Elementary Compares
See how Townsend Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 30% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 11% (2019) to 30% (2025).
Location
105 Carolina Street, Maxton, NC 28364
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Townsend Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Rowland), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Johnson Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Laurinburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prospect Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Maxton, see our Maxton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MIND AND SOUL SCHOOL Maxcon | 4.6 mi | — |
| South Johnson Elementary Laurinburg | 5.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Purnell Swett High Pembroke | 6.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Oxendine Elementary Maxton | 7.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Prospect Elementary Maxton | 6.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Scotland Early College High Laurinburg | 7.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Scotland High School Laurinburg | 7.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Sycamore Lane Primary Laurinburg | 7.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sycamore Lane Elementary Laurinburg | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg | 9.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Shaw Academy Laurinburg | 9.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Union Elementary Rowland | 9.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Wagram Elementary Wagram | 10.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Pembroke Middle Pembroke | 9.0 mi | 5.2 |
| CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE ACADEMY Laurinburg | 8.8 mi | 6.6 |
| CIS Academy Lumberton | 9.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Old Main STREAM Academy Pembroke | 9.3 mi | 6.2 |
| SCOTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Laurinburg | 9.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Pembroke Elementary Pembroke | 9.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Peterson Elementary Red Springs | 10.7 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28364 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,889
Median Home Value
$76,100
Median Rent
$757/mo
Population
13,184
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
74.5%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
31.4%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Townsend Elementary has a median household income of $33,889. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $76,100, with a median rent of $757/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bethel Elementary Bethel, NC | 5.8 |
| Gatesville Elementary Gatesville, NC | 5.8 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir, NC | 5.8 |
| Kiser Elementary Stanley, NC | 5.8 |
| Morgan Elementary Gold Hill, NC | 5.8 |
| Northside Elementary Norlina, NC | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Townsend Elementary
What grades does Townsend Elementary serve?
Townsend Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Townsend Elementary?
Townsend Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Townsend Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Townsend Elementary is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Townsend Elementary rank in NC?
Townsend Elementary is ranked #1747 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Townsend Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Townsend Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Townsend Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Townsend Elementary has 24.5% math proficiency and 24.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Townsend Elementary a charter school?
No, Townsend Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Townsend Elementary a Title I school?
No, Townsend Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Townsend Elementary?
98.9% of students at Townsend Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,323/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Maxton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Robeson County
- Phone
- (910) 844-5086
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Public Schools of Robeson County- District Enrollment
- 20,983
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,767
- District Rank
- #18 of 36
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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